Former PA Jerusalem minister: "Jerusalem has become like a military barracks"

Hatem Abdel Qader, the Palestinian Authority's former minister for Jerusalem affairs, told MEE:

"There is an unprecedented Israeli escalation in Jerusalem. Since this morning, Jerusalem has become like a military barracks, with the heavy presence of Israeli army and police.

"The closure of al-Aqsa mosque is a dangerous and unprecedented since 1967. There are currently many clashes taking place in Jerusalem: in Jabal Mukaber, al-Thawri, Silwad, Wadi al-Jouz, and Ras al-Amod.

"The Israeli government is responsible for all this, by its harsh measures against the people of Jerusalem.

"There is a popular (Palestinian) anger against Israeli restrictions against Jerusalemites as well as tensions in the whole of the West Bank.

"If the Israelis continue with their escalations and crackdowns, then the uproar will continue and even become an intifada. The Israelis would be mistaken to think that they can supress with arms (Palestinian) protests. If they continue, then this would spill into the rest of the West Bank."